US rapper Tyler banned from the UK over 2009 lyrics

Home Secretary claims his work 'encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality'

American rapper Tyler, The Creator has been banned from the UK by the Home Secretary.

He claimed earlier this week that he was barred from entering the country for three to five years because of lyrics he wrote in 2009.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values.

"The Home Secretary has the power to exclude an individual if she considers that his or her presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good or if their exclusion is justified on public policy grounds."

The 24-year-old rapper initially told fans on Twitter he would not be playing at shows including Reading and Leeds festivals because of circumstances "beyond my control".

In a later post he wrote: "BASED ON LYRICS FROM 2009 I AM NOT ALLOWED IN THE UK FOR 3-5 YEARS ( although i was there 8 weeks ago) THAT IS WHY THE SHOWS WERE CANCELLED."

His manager said in an online post that a letter from the Home Office cites lyrics he wrote six or seven years ago.

He insisted they were "the type of lyrics he hasn't written since", adding: "Highlights from the letter include that his work encourages violence and intolerance of homosexuality."

Tyler, The Creator, who co-founded hip-hop collective Odd Future, has attracted controversy over his explicit lyrics, which have drawn accusations of homophobia and misogyny.

Earlier this month, a feminist group launched a campaign to stop him being allowed into Australia.

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